Dermal Cyst Excision

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

A dermal cyst excision is surgery to remove a cyst from your skin. A dermal cyst is a sac that grows just underneath your skin. The most common dermal cyst is called an epidermal inclusion cyst (epidermoid cyst). These cysts are usually found on your chest, back, neck, or abdomen (stomach). An epidermoid cyst forms into a bump that you can feel and is often painless. The sac is filled with a substance that usually looks yellow and cheesy. This substance may come out of your cyst if it bursts open (ruptures). If your cyst ruptures, it will become inflamed (red and swollen) and may become infected.

Your cyst may be caused by an injury, a pimple, or an infection caused by germs called bacteria. Epidermoid cysts may stay small for years or slowly grow larger. During excision, your caregiver will make a cut on or around the skin near your cyst and remove your cyst. With dermal cyst excision, your cyst may stop growing and causing pain. Your cyst may be less likely to burst open, get infected, or grow back.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Take your medicine as directed:

Call your primary healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not working as expected. Tell him if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a current list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when, how, and why you take them. Take the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency. Throw away old medicine lists.

Antibiotics: This medicine is given to fight or prevent an infection caused by bacteria. Always take your antibiotics exactly as ordered by your primary healthcare provider. Do not stop taking your medicine unless directed by your primary healthcare provider. Never save antibiotics or take leftover antibiotics that were given to you for another illness.

Pain medicine: You may need medicine to take away or decrease pain.

Learn how to take your medicine. Ask what medicine and how much you should take. Be sure you know how, when, and how often to take it.

Do not wait until the pain is severe before you take your medicine. Tell caregivers if your pain does not decrease.

Pain medicine can make you dizzy or sleepy. Prevent falls by calling someone when you get out of bed or if you need help.

Steroids: This medicine may be given to decrease inflammation.

Ask for information about where and when to go for follow-up visits:

For continuing care, treatments, or home services, ask for more information.

You may need to return for a follow-up visit so your caregiver can check your surgery site. Your caregiver will check to see if your wound (surgery site) is infected or leaking. He will see if your cyst is growing back. If you have stitches or a drain, you may also need to have them removed. Ask your caregiver for more information on how to care for your wound.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

You have a fever (high body temperature).

You have very bad pain that does not go away, even after taking medicine to decrease it.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.